A new community farm threw open its gates for the first time and was delighted with the support from residents.
About 150 people attended the barbecue and family day, hosted by Mill Lane Community Growers in Netherpool, Ellesmere Port.
The land will be a working farm bringing together people from all parts of the community and offering those in need a helping hand.
The enterprise, which will officially open next spring, is the first of a number of farms planned by community interest company Bridge Community Farms.
The farm will offer permanent, sustainable jobs to people who are long-term unemployed, growing and selling fruit, vegetables, salads and herbs to the community.
It will also provide a therapeutic environment for people living with mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and study facilities for children and young people to learn horticulture, food preparation and basic business skills.
The farm’s set-up costs have been entirely covered by donations from businesses and individuals and all profits will be invested back into the enterprise.
Residents were invited to go along and find out about the plans for the farm, meet the organisers and share their ideas for the site.
They were also invited to provide feedback on the proposals and share any concerns they might have.
Director Francis Ball said: “We have been delighted by the turnout and by the overwhelmingly positive support from local residents.
“People seem pleased that the site is being turned into something that will foster community spirit and provide opportunities for local people.
“We have had dozens of offers of volunteer support and some brilliant suggestions for summer fetes, live music events and children activities when we are up and running next year.”
He added: “It was also great to be able to reassure people that they can still walk their dogs on part of the site and that we aren’t building houses or cutting down trees.
“In fact we are going to plant a lot more trees and even have a plan for a small forest school.
“We know how troubling change can be and we wanted to make sure people felt comfortable with our plans.
“It will be a space for the whole community.”
A detailed response to feedback gathered at the event will be published in this month’s edition of the council resident’s newsletter, Netherpool News, and on the Bridge Community Farms website at www.bridgecommunityfarms.co.uk.
